At
HOME
Home Office How to optimize your workspace
Fall checklist
Home projects to tackle before the weather changes
A special publication of the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer
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LETTER from the
EDITOR Friday was the official first day of fall. With new a season comes change and not just in the color of the leaves. Making some adjustments in your home will make it feel like a new space. In this edition of At Home you learn if your home needs storm doors, how to make a successful home office and find a fall checklist for safety chores around your house. I am still looking for homeowners who have tackled a big DIY or home renovation project or anyone who has an interesting story about their home. If you would like your story told, please contact me at mrichardson@ messenger-inquirer. com or 270-691-7233. — Meghann Richardson Special Publications Editor
Does your home need storm doors? BY STATEPOINT
It’s that time of year again when you’ve installed screens in your windows to better enjoy the weather. But rain and wicked weather can impact your home at any time of year. Could your home use storm doors to add extra ventilation in warm weather and help protect it against tough conditions year-round? A storm door can be an effective defense for your house against bad weather and can also help improve energy efficiency during all seasons. Unfortunately, many people are reluctant to add this layer of protection due to outdated misconceptions about their appearance and versatility. “When homeowners invest money in an entry door, they often don’t want to cover that up with something they perceive as less attractive,” says Wes Ley, door brand manager at ProVia, a manufacturer of entry door systems
and other home elements. “These days though, storm doors can be customized to complement the look of the entry door while providing unique performance advantages.” Storm door technology is offering options that are stronger and more durable than in the past. Ley advises that homeowners should “take another look at storm doors because they’re not what they used to be.” Here are a few things to consider: • A storm door can help protect your entry door investment. What’s more, designs vary, and full-view models show off the entry door while also protecting it. • Using a storm door, you can add extra ventilation to your home, helping you refrain from using the air conditioner and improving energy efficiency. • While many people perceive storm doors as being flimsy, there are high-quality options on the market designed for strength. For example, those from ProVia feature
thick rails and aluminum, and a unique feature — multiple hollow chambers — which makes for sturdier construction. Their corner gussets prevent bending, twisting and corners from coming apart. • Today’s storm doors are a far cry from the old models with the black handle and push button. New design options and hardware finishes include bronze, brass and satin nickel, offering better performance with a more attractive look. • Current storm door technology is bringing useful new features to consumers. For instance, ProVia’s InVent screens retract from both the top and bottom, offering more venting options. Because they are self-storing, they eliminate the hassle of seasonal installation and removal and save on storage space. To give your home a fresh update that offers protection, curb appeal and an opportunity to save on energy bills, consider adding a storm door to your home.
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ways to add
POPS of color to
KITCHENS BY STATEPOINT
of 213 RAL Classic colors for your range or hood. The brand, known for professional quality custom Italian appliances for the home, offers ranges in six standard American sizes, as well as a “city-sized” 24” option. Both single and double oven options are available, as well as dual fuel and all gas connection choices. What’s more, you can further customize the legs and accents of your appliance in various finishes and looks. Another brand offering brilliant color options such as gloss red and light blue is Verona, which offers appliances that use exclusive cooking technology to minimize fuel and energy consumption, and provide safe and efficient cooking.
If your kitchen is bland or boring, it’s time for an update. Consider those BRILLIANT BACKSPLASH home projects that add pops of color For a cohesive look, consider and beauty, inspiring you to do your the focal point of your kitchen best culinar y work. and build out from there with a Here are three beautiful ways to beautiful backsplash. Backsplashes add new hues to any kitchen. are stylishly versatile and nearly any kitchen benefits aesthetically NATURAL COLOR from the addition of one. Choices of For a verdant, fragrant and useful materials include mosaic glass tiles, pop of color, grow an herb garden marble and metal — the possibilities right in your kitchen. From lavender are nearly endless — giving you a lot to basil to chives, you can brighten of flexibility in color and texture. your kitchen with natural colors, The kitchen is the center of the while adding some zest to salads, home, where families make not stews and more. only meals, but memories, too. Add Evaluate your kitchen for direct beautiful bursts of color to the space sunlight to determine the ideal size to make it a place you love to spend and shape of your garden, then get time. creative. Many people choose to create a hanging wall garden. Others BOLD WINDOW TREATMENT prefer a tiered counter for the floor or A new window treatment can pots for the countertop. dramatically change the look of the whole kitchen, especially if you pair it FUNCTIONAL FOCAL POINT with a few prominent accessories in Consider creating a focal point in your kitchen in an eye-catching color the same color. You can complement a window shade with plates and bowls if that adds vitality to the space. One you have open shelving, but you could great way to do this is by focusing also harmonize with a colorful toaster on the heart of ever y kitchen — or table vase. the range. Experts point out that black finishes in the kitchen have PAINT A SINGLE WALL reemerged as a trending design Painting just one wall can completely element this year. So if you do choose transform a room. Pick a fun and black, you may prefer to emphasize cheery color, paint an accent wall and this selection with a gloss finish, your ready to go. Red, yellow, blue and which can add a layer of elegance, green all looks great in a kitchen. drama and sophistication to the kitchen. COLORFUL SEATS Standard colors are offered Get rid of the matching table and ever ywhere, but for something more chair set and look for some alternative unexpected, seek out brands that seating. Vintage chairs can always be also offer customization in addition found in such fun colors, but if they to classic choices like gloss black, need a touch up, you can add seat such as ILVE. Through its Custom cushions or slipcovers. Color Program, you can select one
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optimize HOW TO
YOUR HOME OFFICE
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BY STATEPOINT
The old 9-to-5 isn’t what it used to be. As more companies embrace telecommuting, a growing number of employees are finding that even in the professional realm, there’s no place like home. Here’s how to set up a home office for success.
COMMISSION FLOOR PLANS
It’s a good idea to have plans drawn up by an architect. Knowing your exact square footage has tax-savings implications: If your home office is your principal workplace, you may qualify for a home office tax deduction (for what the IRS calls “business use of your home”) based on the overall area of that space. Plus, an architect may be able to see beyond walls to find potential spatial configurations you might not have considered.
DEFINE YOUR WORKSPACE
Working from home may be an escape from the monotony of cubicle land, but it’s still important to define your workspace. If it’s not possible to turn an existing room into your office, consider using an uncluttered portion of your basement, attic or garage. A tax deduction applies only to space used exclusively as a home office, so simply putting a desk in your living room doesn’t make you eligible, nor will it prevent distractions.
GET COMFORTABLE
Don’t just grab an extra dining room chair. Chair designs have improved thanks to ergonomic research over the last half century. Choose one that will keep your posture vertical and your mind sharp.
GET LIT
Ideally, your home office will have at least one window, but also invest in a swing-arm desk lamp to provide ample illumination for concentrated tasks.
CLEAR CLUTTER
Avoid toppling stacks of documents and make the recycling bin your new best friend. A small filing cabinet should be able to hold all your records, and many home furnishings can be repurposed if a filing cabinet feels too corporate.
GROW SOMETHING
Not only are there health benefits associated with keeping plants indoors, they’ll be there when you need to take
a break. A little gentle pruning can prove meditative, and can be a good way to refocus.
KEEP A SCHEDULE
Online newsfeeds and day-to-day housework can be distracting. Approach working at home with the same level of professionalism you’d bring to an office setting. Display a clock and wall calendar for visual reminders of deadlines.
COMMUNICATE
Responding promptly to emails and calls lets co-workers know that you’re reliable. Substitute face-to-face time with FaceTime (or another video-enabled communication service). Thanks to such technology, you can share space with co-workers a continent away.
TAKE BREAKS
Anyone familiar with water cooler chatter knows that offices are highly social. That’s an aspect of your day that can feel like it’s missing. So step outside every few hours; wave to your neighbor or walk to a coffee shop. By adopting a few design strategies and organizational habits, you can get your best work done from your home office.
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BIG IDEAS FOR RENOVATING smaller
HOMES
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BY BPT
While newly constructed homes are bigger than ever, most Americans still live in modestly sized or even small houses — and many of these owners are choosing to remodel rather than move into a bigger home. More than half of all American houses were built before 1980, according to the National Association of Home Builders. At that time, the average new home size was slightly more than 1,700 square feet, U.S. Census Bureau data shows. Meanwhile, interest in remodeling is at an all-time high, according to Metrostudy. Homeowners looking to renovate their average-sized homes in order to get more living space don’t have to build costly additions. Many modern remodeling tactics, tricks and tools are made to work well in smaller homes. Here are ways to get the most out of your home renovation:
SPACE-SAVING PLUMBING OPTIONS
Plumbing can be problematic in any renovation, but adding plumbing in certain smaller-house locations can be especially challenging. Traditional plumbing may require you to open walls and floors to connect to existing drainage lines, or break through concrete to add
toilets, showers and sinks when finishing a basement. Above-floor plumbing can solve a number of small-space challenges. For example, you may decide to add a powder room in the unused space beneath a stairway. However, if the space is very small, a standard toilet with water tank and traditionally plumbed sink might not fit. In such a situation, a compact, one-piece macerating toilet like the Sanicompact from Saniflo installs quickly, easily and conveniently in tight spots. Traditional plumbing can also be a challenge in renovations where you’re adding plumbing below a main level, such as installing a bathroom with a shower or even a second kitchen in a basement setting. In southern states, where most homes are built on slabs rather than with basements, adding any kind of traditional plumbing would require you to break open the concrete in order to add pipes — an expensive and risky undertaking. However, a Sanistar one-piece, wall-mounted toilet with built-in macerator allows you to add a basement bathroom without cutting concrete. For adding sinks or showers, gray water pumps such as the Saniswift can be as compact as a small wastebasket, and can
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carry water away from new bathrooms or more natural light, you don’t have to kitchens where no traditional plumbing sacrifice wall space to windows or incur exists. the expense of opening a wall. Skylights and tube skylights can bring more natural light into a home. Modern RIGHT-SIZING UTILITIES If you’re adding a bathroom or kitchen skylights are energy efficient and far in your average-sized, average-age home, less prone to leaks than older models. A standard skylight can easily be installed it may also be a good idea to replace the in rooms with direct roof access, and tube water heater — especially if it’s 10 or skylights can even bring natural light to more years old. An older water heater ground-floor spaces. Plus, skylights allow may fail or worse, leak, causing damage you to preserve privacy in settings where to nearby floors and walls. it matters most, such as bathrooms. Modern tank water heaters are more energy efficient, but also larger as a result of the insulation needed to achieve LOOKING UP greater efficiency. If you’re replacing a Older homes may have less floor water heater in an attic that’s accessed space, but many older homes also have through pull-down stairs or in a crawl higher ceilings. Or, your smaller home space, or adding one in a closet or may have a two-story family room or out-of-the-way corner, a traditional tank entryway. Using the extra height in your water heater might not fit. home to create storage space can allow Tankless water heaters require less you to free up floor space. For example, room, solving space problems. Plus, floor-to-ceiling shelves in a family room or they’re more energy efficient because entryway provide ample storage space. they heat the water only when you need Tall ceilings can also be an opportunity it, rather than using fuel to maintain the to add task lighting in work areas such temperature in a large tank. as over kitchen islands, or to create design statements through the addition of NATURAL LIGHT exposed faux beams. WITHOUT SACRIFICE Smart renovations can help make your If your home is older, it may have home feel bigger and function better for fewer or smaller windows than newly your family, no matter how big or small its constructed homes. However, if you crave square footage.
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Fall is the perfect time to complete those pesky home maintenance projects left on your to do list. If you’ve been putting off these chores, you’re not alone, but it could cost you. Make sure you’re protected by focusing on these four areas:
THE ROOF
Twenty-three percent of homeowners admit they never inspect their roof or have it inspected unless there is a problem, according to the Erie Insurance survey. Unfortunately, replacing a roof is also one of the biggest expenses a homeowner may have if not maintained properly. Nationally, the average homeowner spends about $6,600 to install a new roof, but prices can soar upwards of $20,000. Don’t be stuck with a hefty roof repair bill. Have it inspected to see if any shingles are damaged and need to be replaced. The fall season is the optimal time to do so, since roofing is best installed when temperatures are cooler. Plus, you’ll catch any problems before winter weather kicks in.
THE GUTTERS
Make sure downspouts drain away from the foundation and are clear of debris. Clogged gutters can lead to major issues like uneven floors, cracks in walls and interior water damage. This type of claim, also known as seepage, is a maintenance issue
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and often not covered under your home insurance policy. To prevent any major issues, clean gutters at least twice a year in fall and spring.
THE DRYER EXHAUST DUCT
Does it take you two to three cycles to dry a load of laundry? If so, you may need to clean your dryer vent. Lint build-up can catch fire easily. Over 15,000 dryer fires occurred nationwide from 20102014, with the majority being ignited by dust, fiber and lint, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Avoid this disaster with a thorough cleaning at least once a year.
THE FIREPLACE CHIMNEY
Nearly half of people who own a home with a fireplace never have their chimneys cleaned. However, uncleaned chimneys are a leading cause of structure fires, reports the National Fire Protection Association. So, get the chimney cleaned before the cold weather hits and you find yourself tossing logs in the hearth to keep the house toasty, and then have it cleaned annually. Now that you have your checklist, it’s time to roll up your sleeves while it’s still nice outside. Whether you’re a DIYer or prefer hiring a professional, crossing these projects off your to-do list will help ensure you’re safe and secure before temperatures drop.